Our Story
The Can Do Collective is a community rooted in the ‘Scotland Can Do’ ambition.
From 2011 onwards, principles of Collective Impact and Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship began to inform the Scottish Government’s approach to developing and accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship in Scotland. By 2013, the Scottish Government led a gathering of 300 local and international entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders, united in their shared belief that Scotland has always been a ‘Can Do’ nation. This milestone Forum marked the beginning of a journey to explore how they could build a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together they launched the ‘Scotland Can Do’ ambition, as a shared statement of intent and joined-up approach to enterprise support across the public, private and social enterprise sectors. Read more about the Scotland Can Do Action Framework.
A strong ecosystem culture is like rocket fuel for entrepreneurial growth
Kauffman Foundation
This joined-up, all-sector approach to enterprise and innovation support has continued to evolve as a direct response to the demand and energy of Scotland’s entrepreneurs and enterprise and increased trust and collaboration between Collective Partners. In May 2019 the ‘Scotland Can Do Forum’ became the ‘Can Do Collective’, reaffirming its commitment to meaningful action, stronger collaboration and most importantly, adopting and championing the Collective Impact approach in order to tackle challenges that will unlock more of Scotland’s untapped potential.
Scotland Can Do Action Framework - Becoming a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation
Today, the Can Do Collective’s status is growing internationally. It is a powerful economic and societal asset for Scotland. The Can Do Collective is demonstrating that a collective approach to delivering a more effective and easy to navigate ecosystem is possible and exactly what we need in a time of challenge. This community have built Scotland’s enterprise support ecosystem with trust and transparency, and are committed to partnering with the Scottish and UK Government to ensure that Scotland can be a beacon in entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has
Margaret Mead
Inspiring Collective Impact projects & Ecosystem Builders around the world
Can Do Collective Team
Since 2018, The Scottish Government has resourced a dedicated team within Entrepreneurial Scotland, whose role is to coordinate the Can Do Collective and champion the ‘Scotland Can Do’ ambition. The team are responsible for convening, amplifying, and tracking the impact of this growing enterprise support community.
Hazel Jane
Convener
Sean McGrath
Ambassador
Rachel Wallace
Producer
Rebecca Donald
Partner Engagement Executive
Meghan McKee
Digital Marketing Coordinator
The Collective is a powerful economic and societal asset as we build back in the months ahead